Prime Minister Thomas Thabane confirmed the deaths at a press conference on Tuesday, describing them as "a serious setback to vigorous efforts to restore peace and stability".

Lesotho has been beset by power struggles and concerns about military interference in politics. The country has seen a number of high-profile assassinations, including the 2015 killing of a former army chief.

Thabane's party won elections in June, returning him to power three years after he fled Lesotho because of fears he was an assassination target.

Critics accuse the military of favouring Thabane's old rival Pakalitha Mosisili who ruled from 1998-2012 and 2015-2017.

Years of political friction have hampered attempts to fight dire poverty and the world's second highest HIV infection rate.